Route guide
London Gatwick (LGW) → Central London
Last updated: 9 August 2026
45 km (28 mi) · 60–90 min by car
All options compared: London Gatwick to Central London
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official taxi | Black cab: £80–120+ (metered) |
| Pre-booked transfer | Pre-booked: £55–85 (fixed) Book → |
| Train / bus | Gatwick Express: £24.10.90, 30 min to Victoria. Thameslink: £12.80, 35 min to St Pancras. |
Transfer services compared: London Gatwick to Central London
| Service | Price | Meet & greet | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | £65–90 | ✓ Inside terminal | Families, premium | Check price → |
| Kiwitaxi | £55–75 | ✓ Arrivals hall | Vehicle variety | Check price → |
| GetTransfer | £50–70 | Varies | Budget travelers | Check price → |
| intui.travel | £52–68 | ✓ Most drivers | Shared options | Check price → |
Booking terms compared for London Gatwick transfers
Price decides which option you look at; these three lines decide which one you book. They matter most when the flight is the part most likely to go wrong.
| Service | Free cancellation | Free airport waiting | Child seats | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | 24+ h ahead: 80% back, or a 100% coupon; nothing inside 24 h | 60 min | Included, no charge | Check price → |
| Kiwitaxi | 5 h on Economy classes, 24 h on Business and minibuses | 90 min | On request, €5–10 | Check price → |
| GetTransfer | Flexible fare only — then in full up to departure; Standard never refunds | Up to 60 min | Depends on the driver | Check price → |
| intui.travel | 48+ h on the Standard fare; the carrier sets the exact deadline | Set by the carrier | On request, fee varies | Check price → |
Terms as published by each platform in their own terms of use and help centres, checked 7 August 2026; they can vary by route, vehicle class and local operator, so check the terms shown at checkout before paying. Full detail in our cancellation policies guide.
GBP and EUR rates for standard sedan to central London Zone 1. Canary Wharf, Stansted-area destinations, and outer zones priced separately. Updated March 2026.
Cheapest way from London Gatwick to Central London
Thameslink at £12.80 — fast and affordable
Best option for London Gatwick to Central London
GetTransfer — bids from £50 significantly undercut black cab prices for this long route
Journey time from London Gatwick by time of day
Via M23 motorway north, then M25/A23 into London. Traffic on the M25 is unpredictable. The Gatwick Express is often faster than driving during rush hour.
Fastest: Very early weekend mornings (before 07:00) on the M23 are the fastest — expect 50–65 minutes for the 45 km drive when the M25 interchange is clear.
Slowest: Friday afternoons (15:00–19:30) on the M25 and M23 are consistently the worst window — expect 95–130 minutes. The M23/M25 junction is the chronic bottleneck. Heathrow-and-Gatwick commuter overflow compounds this.
Weekends: Saturday mornings are generally fine. Sunday evenings returning from weekend trips can add 20–30 minutes on the M23 inbound.
For detailed meet-and-greet instructions applicable to all transfer services, see our step-by-step guide to booking airport transfers.
All transport alternatives from London Gatwick
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Official taxi | £80–120 (metered) |
| Train / Express | Gatwick Express to Victoria: £24.10, 30 min. Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras: £12, 35–45 min |
| Budget option | National Express coach: £8–12, 90–120 min |
| Uber / ride-hail | £50–80 (limited availability, surge common) |
Which service wins for London Gatwick to Central London
LGW → central London is longer and trickier than LHR — the 45 km drive is exposed to M25 chaos and the Gatwick Express train at £24.10.50 is very strong competition. GetTransfer bidding wins at £45–65 for 4-person groups where splitting £60 beats four train tickets. Welcome Pickups (£65–95) is worth the premium for families with luggage and young children — the door-to-door convenience compared to Gatwick Express + Underground + walking is significant with kids. Kiwitaxi at £55–85 is the practical middle-ground for business travelers. intui.travel doesn't lead on any metric here; the Gatwick Express is a much better budget answer than any shared shuttle.
Real traveler tips from London Gatwick
The M25 between the M23 junction and the M4/M40 is among the worst traffic anywhere in Europe on Friday afternoons. Expect 95–130 minutes on the road if you're landing between 15:00 and 19:30 on a Friday.
Gatwick has two separated terminals (North and South) connected by a 2-minute monorail. The pickup point differs by terminal — confirm yours when booking to avoid a 10-minute transit.
For City of London, Canary Wharf, or East London, the Gatwick Express + DLR combination is often faster than road transfer regardless of price. For West London (Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill), road is usually faster.
UK border control for non-UK arrivals can run 30–60 minutes at peak evening times (18:00–21:00). Welcome Pickups and Kiwitaxi allow 60 minutes of free waiting — usually enough, but mention your flight origin when booking.
Luggage and special requirements on London Gatwick transfers
Standard sedan: Gatwick is 45 km from London — longer rides mean more time with luggage. Book a comfortable vehicle, not the cheapest option.
Child seats: UK law requires approved child seats for children under 12 or 135 cm. Welcome Pickups provides them free on every Gatwick booking — a real advantage over London black cabs, which aren't required to carry seats. Kiwitaxi offers as a paid add-on.
Oversized items: Gatwick handles significant holiday charter traffic — expect surfboards to Cornwall, ski bags to the Alps, and golf clubs to Spain/Portugal. Always mention oversized items when booking; standard Gatwick sedans can't always accommodate them without pre-arrangement.
Tips for London Gatwick transfers
Gatwick is far from London (45 km). The Gatwick Express (30 min to Victoria, £24.10.90) is the fastest train option. Thameslink (35 min, £12.80) goes to more stations. For groups of 2+, a pre-booked transfer is often cheaper than individual train tickets. Night transfers (before 5am) are significantly more expensive — the train doesn't run all night.
London Gatwick to Central London transfer FAQ
Pre-booked transfers range from £50–70 (GetTransfer) to £65–90 (Welcome Pickups). Official taxis cost £80–120 (metered).
The distance is 45 km (28 mi) and the drive typically takes 60–90 min depending on traffic. Rush hour can add 30+ minutes.
North Terminal: Arrivals hall near Café Nero. South Terminal: Arrivals hall near the exits. Gatwick has two terminals connected by a shuttle train (2 min).
Taxis cost £80–120 (metered). Pre-booked transfers start from £50–70 and offer fixed prices, flight tracking, and meet-and-greet. For groups of 2+, transfers are usually better value.
LGW integrates cleanly with all four services for flight tracking. UK border control for non-UK arrivals can run 30–60 minutes at peak times. Welcome Pickups and Kiwitaxi include 60 minutes of free waiting, which usually covers it.
Need a full comparison? See our detailed comparison of all 4 transfer services for London with prices, ratings, and our verdict.
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Compare all four transfer services for this route:
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For the full picture of transport options in this city (trains, buses, taxis, and the best neighborhoods), see our complete London airport guide.